Medical Marijuana & Its Perks
The ongoing debate about whether or not medical marijuana should be legal and regularly used in the medical world divides public opinion like no other. Still, it’s not a coincidence that almost 85 percent of U.S. citizens support the full legalization of medical marijuana.
Moreover, in 2018, over one million people in the United States were using cannabis for various treatments, and their number is growing every year. But what are the specific health benefits of marijuana, and are there any concerns about the usage?
To answer that and other questions regarding medical marijuana, let’s find out more about cannabis and health.
THC and CBD
Let’s start with a short chemistry lesson. There are two main components extracted from a cannabis plant. They’re called THC and CBD. The main difference between them is that THC is psychoactive, whereas CBD is not.
What does that mean? In short, THC will get you high, and CBD won’t. Both of these compounds have unique properties on our health and therefore, can be used for various treatments.
So which one should you use? It’s entirely up to you because they share almost the same benefits for your health. The main difference is the side effect they have on you.
Because of its psychoactive effect, THC leaves you with the famous euphoric feeling we recognize as getting high. Many people who use medical marijuana, prefer CBD as it doesn’t have any side effects on the human organism.
Benefits of Medical Marijuana
As mentioned above, both THC and CBD share most of their benefits, but some are unique for each compound. So what are the health benefits of THC and CBD weed? Here are a few examples.
THC proved its usefulness in helping patients who suffer from:
- Insomnia
- Seizures
- Pains
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Nausea
CBD, on the other hand, is often used to treat:
- Seizures
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Inflammation
- Migraines
Besides these examples, cannabis has proved to have also benefits for patients with cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Medical cannabis helps to reduce chronic pain, anxiety and relief from a wide array of disorders.
Keep in mind that you should always consult your doctor whether you should use medical marijuana. For example, if you have high blood pressure, cannabis can raise the risk of a heart attack. That’s why it’s essential to learn more about the pros and cons of medical marijuana.
Usage
The most popular way of using marijuana is smoking, but there are many more forms of marijuana usage. Nowadays, you can find marijuana almost everywhere, so it’s not difficult to find the way that suits you best.
Let’s start with smoking. You can traditionally smoke weed in a joint. You can also use the device called a vaporizer, which turns the cannabis you smoke into a mist.
The second way is by eating it. There are particular medical marijuana pills and liquid drops, but you can also try daily products like a chocolate, brownie, or even a lollipop.
The third way is applying it to your skin. There are many body lotions, sprays, and marijuana-based oils. This type of application is perfect for body pains, for example, back pain.
So, what’s the difference between these types of usage? Well, if you smoke cannabis, you’ll feel the effects much quicker. Eating, on the other hand, makes the impact feelable after one or two hours.
Legality
The debate about the legalization of cannabis is still fierce in the U.S. So far, 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. Again, that number is likely to grow in the future.
One of the states where medical marijuana is legal is Nevada. If you’re from there and ask yourself a question: are there any dispensaries near me in Vegas? The answer is yes.
But before you visit a dispensary or a pharmacy that sells medical marijuana, make sure that you have a written recommendation from your doctor. You ought to have a medical condition that qualifies for cannabis treatment.
Every state has its list of qualifying conditions and other requirements. Make sure that you learn about them so that you won’t come across any trouble when buying medical marijuana.
Some states also require a medical marijuana ID card. Only if you get it, you’ll be able to buy cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Summary
Even though the medical benefits of marijuana are well-known, it still has many opponents. Many states aren’t keen on legalizing medical marijuana, but with the ongoing research, they’ll change their minds in the near future.
Remember that you can’t just walk into the dispensary or pharmacy and buy medical marijuana. You need a written prescription from your doctor that states that you qualify for cannabis-based treatment.
Please make sure you know the legal requirements of your state and whether you fit them all. Consult your physician and see if medical marijuana-based treatment is going to help with your condition.
